#MNProud

[ehochstein]

After the incredibly amazing experience I had at the FIRST Championship this year, I wanted to make a post about how incredibly proud I am to be from Minnesota.

Back when I joined team 2470 in 2008 I had no idea what engineering was, nor had I ever heard of FIRST. Just like any other rookie team member out there, I had no idea what I was getting myself into but that one decision I made in High School changed my life. Because of FIRST in Minnesota, I am who I am today.

This year at the FIRST Championship, Minnesota had 29 teams attend from 3 of the 4 FIRST programs. If you count the whole team of volunteers that Minnesota sent down as well, I think we can count it an even 30. Overall, that makes 23 FRC teams, 4 FTC teams, 2 FLL teams and 1 FIRST volunteer team.

For the first time ever, two Minnesota teams made it to Einstein, 2526 Crimson Robotics from Maple Grove and 2512 the Duluth East Daredevils. Even though neither of these teams brought home an Einstein winning trophy, I know those students will be able to remember that experience for the rest of their lives. I know that they will be inspired as I was when I first went to championships as a student. I am so proud that they had this opportunity, I look forward to seeing what these teams can do in the future.

For the first time, Minnesota also sent 4 FTC teams to championships! I don't think we've ever sent more than 2 teams, after working all season with FTC in Minnesota and practicing judging sessions with these teams for countless hours I am so glad they had the opportunity to be inspired at FIRST Champs. I know most of the students on these teams individually, and I look forward to seeing what they can bring back next year. Congratulations to 6389, the Lazybotts; 7152, Robot Squad; 7190, The Green Girls; and 7655 the Q is Silqent.

Congratulations to FLL Team 29, Caught in a Brainstorm, on winning the third place presentation award! I look forward to seeing what you guys can bring to the FTC teams in the area when you age out of FLL. I didn't get much of a chance to work with you this year but I've only heard amazing things about everything you do from MN FIRST community members and your mentors.

It was incredible to see Laura Irvine from FTC Team 8438, Quantum Leap and FRC Team 2175, The Fighting Calculators, take home a second Dean's List winning trophy to Minnesota. You and your family do so much for all of the FIRST programs in Minnesota and you guys are such a pleasure to work with. I hope you get to go to some amazing college in a far off place but I would be perfectly happy if you were to stick around in the Twin Cities to attend the University of Minnesota. I would be ecstatic to see another (there are already many) dedicated GOFIRST leader and volunteer!

A HUGE round of applause to Mark Lawrence for winning the Woodie Flowers Award. After attending many Regional Planning Committee meetings and seeing how much of an effect you have on Minnesota teams as a whole, I couldn't think of anyone more deserving. I wasn't around back in 2007 when MN FIRST started but I'm sure I can attribute much of what MN FIRST is today, to you. And that means you were part of what got me involved in FIRST, what inspired me to be who I am today. Thank you.

High Tech Kids - thank you for being the Minnesota Jr. FLL, FLL and FTC Partner. You have a GIGANTIC impact on the future of Minnesota and I'm so happy to be able to volunteer with you. You're always there when I need advice and you're always ready to make all of the programs a better experience for Minnesota teams. I know your programs will only continue to grow, even though we have over 600 FLL teams and over 100 FTC teams, we've only hit a small percentage of Minnesota schools. I'm happy to work with you in the future to increase the number of students able to be inspired by FIRST.

GOFIRST - thank you for volunteering at all of the Minnesota FIRST events. I'm pretty sure there was a GOFIRST volunteer at almost every single FIRST event this year. I know for certain we had GOFIRST members at every single FRC and FTC event in the state. We're only going to grow in FLL but you'll only grow in member participation so I look forward to encouraging you to volunteer at more FLL events with High Tech Kids as judges and referees! I can't forget our escapade into Ri3D either; it was a pleasure to work with your superb leadership in running 'Snow Problem. I look forward to working with everyone again next year, as I'm sure we can only make it better.

MN FIRST - I don't know how we do it. 192 teams, 4 events and just a few hundred volunteers it keeps us busy but we're all here to inspire the next generation of volunteers, leaders, engineers, and I like to think we do a pretty good job at it. After speaking with many of you over the past week, I think we're all inspired and good things will keep happening. I look forward to seeing what Minnesota can bring to the table in the future.

Finally to all the other organizations, sponsors, volunteers, mentors and students I've had a pleasure of working with this year, THANK YOU! Nothing would be as inspiring as it is without you.

I am proud to be a Minnesotan, because I know we are changing the culture through the passion and dedication of all our participants.

~The man in the pink hat